Gale Coyote

You're welcome, and I'll gladly post it to GoodReads!

Finally, I can't talk about this book without mentioning Fadel! A perfect sweetheart yet also a bad-ass, brimming with the warm friendship and found family that I love finding in books. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fun surprise for me was the author's use of a few Arabic terms: I enjoyed a bit of learning when I looked up these words. Great book overall, which stands well on its own but also leaves enough hope and hints for the reader to look forward to the sequel.

Both Naji and Zayn are thoughtful and observant, which makes them relatable to me, and makes experiencing their environment feel not just satisfying, but also relevant to the plot. Other standout vivid settings are the city market and the bathhouse.

I felt completely immersed in Naji the hyena and Zayn the jackal's world for the entire book. My favorite part was their journey through the mountains. I loved the detailed descriptions of the ever-changing landscape and weather alongside the character's self reflections.

Book cover for Scars of the Golden Dancer by Nighteyes Dayspring. A realistic illustration of an anthropomorphic jackal dancing with a curved sword, before a crowd of various anthro animals.

I finished Scars of the Golden Dancer by @nighteyes.bsky.social back in July. See comments for what's stuck with me a couple of months later! Buy here: nighteyes-dayspring.com/books/scars-...